Baton Rouge Audubon presents a program on WHOOPING CRANES --- May 1st, 2008!
The elegant whooping crane is on the verge of an extraordinary comeback after nearly becoming extinct due to human activities. In 1941, the last migratory flock was reduced to only 15 birds. An ambitious reintroduction project is currently underway to restore a migratory flock of whooping cranes to eastern North America. Now in its eighth year, the project is being undertaken by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP), a team of non-profit and governmental agencies, whose founding members include the International Crane Foundation (ICF). ICF works worldwide to conserve cranes and the wetland and grassland ecosystems on which they depend. ICF is dedicated to providing experience, knowledge, and inspiration to involve people in resolving the threats to these beautiful birds.
On Thursday, May 1st the Baton Rouge Audubon Society will be hosting our Spring Program on Whooping Cranes. Our keynote speaker for the evening is Joan Garland, who is the Outreach Coordinator at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin. She has worked at ICF for eight years and is Co-leader of the Outreach Team for WCEP. For the past five years, Joan has accompanied the ultralight-led whooping crane migration down to Florida. She also works on crane conservation education programs in northeastern China and Russia. She will be sharing information about current news, research, and status of the whooping cranes.
In addition to Joan's presentation, Dr. Andy Nyman will also be joining us for the evening. Dr. Nyman is an Associate Professor at LSU in the School of Renewable Natural Resources. He dedicates most of his time researching wetland wildlife ecology but also spends time in the classroom teaching about wildlife science and wetland ecology and management. He will be sharing his current research and efforts on "Investigating the feasibility of Whooping Crane reintroductions in Louisiana at Marsh Island and White Lake."
The event will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Dalton Woods Auditorium in the LSU Energy, Coast, and Environmental Building, which is located at the southwest edge of campus on Nicholson Drive Extension. In addition to the presentations, there will be a silent auction along with wine and hors d'oerves that will be served. We look forward to seeing you there!
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